Shelf end-stop for steel shelving



April 21, 1970 l. J. FERDINAND ETAL 3,507,228

SHELF ENDSTOP FOR STEEL SHELVING Filed Jan. 22, 1968 r 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 60 Emu-J IIVVE/VTORS.

IRWl/V J. FERDINAND M/L ro/v E. HANDLER IRW/N A. KUL BERSH 56a BYMM United States Patent 3,507,228 SHELF END-STOP FOR STEEL SHELVIN G Irwin J. Ferdinand, Glencoe, Milton E. Handler, Evanston, and Irwin R. Kulbersh, Niles, Ill., assignors to S. A. Hirsh Manufacturing Co., Skokie, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Jan. 22, 1968, Ser. No. 699,420 Int. Cl. A47b 9/00 US. Cl. 108-444 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Snap-in, twist-release shelving end stops for shelves that are end supported at adjustable levels on end posts having a series of vertically spaced apertures. Two plastic Y-shaped members have detents in their arm portions adjustably engaging in co-level apertures in the posts and as an assembly carry a sleeve member on their legs between them under slight compression. Two vertically spaced assemblies carry a panel between them when desired which can be of various heights.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED CASES US. Patents Nos. 3,255,722, 3,304,760, and 3,332,374; application Ser. No. 668,433, filed Sept. 18, 1967 (6719); and application Ser. No. 691,545 filed Dec. 18, 1967 (6735).

BACKGROUND In knockdown steel shelving, once the shelves are assembled, it is not very often that the shelf levels are changed due to human tendencies to leave things the way they are. Ease of adjustability counteracts this to a substantial degree, particularly where economy of space is a factor, but if shelving parts, in addition, to the shelves themselves require adjustment when shelf changes are contemplated, the original psychological inhibitions generally prevail and the benefits of shelf adjustment are lost, or, the parts are left ofl? either in the original assembly or after the first change. In both events, usefulness is lost.

An important one of these parts is an end stop for a shelf which serves many purposes: to keep objects erect on the shelves and to hold them either from sliding endwise off of the shelf, or onto an adjacent shelf when two tandem shelves are end abutting at the same level in continuous shelving. Moreover for optimal universal adapt ability, an end stop should be readily adjustable vertically for various heights of objects and also be variable as to its overall height.

The ease of assembling and adjusting shelf levels in knockdown shelving ha-ving post forms and securing devices as contemplated herein are shown and described in detail in the cross references.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention not only does the post construction provide exceptional ease in shelf assembly and height adjustment, but along therewith great ease of assembly and adjustment of shelf end stops which is provided in the end stops interlock with the end posts directly an adjustable distance above a shelf. They are easily in- 'ice stalled by a vertical movement for a snap engagement, are rigidly held against lateral horizontal movement when in place, and are released for relocation with a slight rotational movement.

The invention contemplates a frictional assembly of two semi rigid elements that terminally span or bracket a portion of each end post in opposing relationship in a horizontal direction and are interconnected by an intermediate horizontal tubular member that preferably supports them under slight compression, against endwise movement in a horizontal direction.

The invention is characterized by opposing detents engaging in co-level apertures of parallel series in each post of vertically spaced apertures otherwise provided for securing shelves to the posts.

The invention further contemplates the presence of the detents upon opposing vertical wall surfaces of substantial expanse disposed on the opposing arms of each bracket whereby slight manual rotation of the bracket operates to cam the arms enough to retract the detents sufiiciently to clear the apertures so that the bracket can be moved vertically for disengagement from the post. In this connection the released vertical movement mentioned for the bracket at the one end of the end stop assembly operates by a camming action to release the detents of the bracket at the other end of the end stop assembly.

The assemblies can be used in pairs to support a vertical panel between them without detracting from their ability of 11ready attachment and release of the bracket sequentia y.

A further object of the invention is to familiarize a purchaser with the ease of assembling and adjusting end stops as well as the shelves by his own personal experience with respect thereto as a favorable memory factor for inducing him to make future adjustments without inhibitions or hesitation for full use of the shelving.

These being among the objects, other and further objects including the simplicity and ease of assembly, simplicity of the parts and their rugged construction will become apparent from the following description and claims related to the drawings in which FIG. 1 is a front perspective of an assembled knockdown shelving embodying several forms of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the preferred form of one of the end brackets of the shelf end-stop of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the bracket indicated by line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bracket shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing a modification :of the bracket shown therein;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing a modification of the bracket shown therein; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional View taken on line 1111 in FIG. 3 showing details of the assembly and cooperation of the bracket when used with a panel end stop member.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an assembled shelving unit comprising a plurality of individual shelves 22 which are roll-formed from coated sheet metal in a manner described in Handler 3,304,760 for the purposes described in the related cases referred to herein. Briefly, each of the four corners of the shelves 22 are notched out to receive and be rigidly secured in weight supporting relationship and to support posts 24 against relative rotation, as more particularly described in Patent No. 3,255,722 and application Ser. No. 668,433. Each of the shelves 22 has a generally rectangular top surface 26 and contiguous depending peripheral side flanges 28 and end flanges 30. The flanges abut fiat sides of the post as drawn into rigidifying squaring contact therewith and rigidity the posts for full cooperation with end stops 48 for the shelves as later described.

The posts 24 at all four corners are generally identical and may have a variety of cross-sectional configurations preferably square, rectangular, hexagonal or octagonal. A preferred form of the post 24 is shown in FIG. 4 which is essentially octagonal with four major walls cross-sectionally defining a rectangular relationship and four minor walls in the nature of recessed mitered corners. The major walls can be identified as the front wall 32, back wall 34 and the side walls 36, the back wall 34 being the wall where the two edges 38 of the rolled strip abut, preferably under pressure. The minor walls 40 join the major walls at work hardened form lines 42, each preferably defining an internally non-obtuse angle and the minor walls abutting the back wall have pairs of co-level vertically spaced apertures 44 by which shelves are supported by suitable securement at selected levels.

Thus, the minor walls 40 bordering the back wall 34 are disposed within the rearwardly projected confines of the side walls 36 and taper with respect to each other towards the back wall 34. The aperture axes correspondingly converge inwardly at approximately right angles between co-level pairs of apertures 44. In this relation, it should be noted for better understanding of the description which follows, that any elements received in co-level pairs of the aperture will enter the apertures along corresponding converging lines.

It will be observed that with the shelf construction described thus far the space above each shelf is open at their ends between pairs of end posts which have their back walls facing each other. These spaces can be filled in whole or in part by end stop-embodiments 48 particularly where they happen to be at the ends of 2. tier of shelving, it being appreciated, however, as

shown in the references that shelving units can alsov be connected to form continuous shelving and shelf end stops may be supplied intermediate the ends of the continuous shelving, if desired, regardless of whether the tandem shelves are vertically spaced or co-level.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, the end stop comprises an assembly of two identical bracket elements 50 and an interconnecting tube 52. The bracket elements 50 straddle the posts with opposiing arms for support against horizontal movement lengthwise of the shelf and the tube 52 holds the brackets in place against the opposing back walls of the end posts against movement in the remaining horizontal directions.

One of the bracket elements is shown with further detail in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 where a central body portion 54 extends substantially the width of the post between and within the planes of the side walls 28 and terminally has on one side end flanges 56 which terminate outwardly in diverging walls 58 for engaging the minor walls 40 and overlapping a pair of co-level apertures therein. Approximately midway the height of the walls 58, detents 60 are provided at the same level to register with said pair of coplanar apertures 44 in interengaging relationship.

On its other side the body 54 is provided with parallel tongues 62 shaped to be frictionally received in the end of the tube 52. This latter relationship is one in which the tube and tongues provide a major and minor dimensional contour which assures that the slot 64 (FIGS. 3 and 4) along one side of the tube is in vertical alignment with the space 66 between the tongues 62. Also disposed in alignment with the slot 64 and space '66 either one or both of the horizontal edges 68 of the central body 54 are vertically notched as at 70 to receive a corner 74 of a panel member 72 if such is present in the multiple height end-stop as later described. Preferably, one notch is provided as shown. The notch receives the full corner of the rectangular cut panel 72 in supported relation with the front and back edges contacting the opposing back walls 34 of the end posts.

In operation where a single tube 52 serves as an endstop the tube 52 frictionally receives the tongues 62 of two brackets 50 in its opposite ends with the notches 70 coincident with the slot 64 in a downward direction. In this orientation, the bracket at one end is placed straddling the back wall 34 of one post at the desired level on the post with the detents thereon in approximate registration with the selected pair of apertures and the other end of the tube is lowered until the braket therein begins to bind with the other post. Thereafter the brackets can then be moved up or down the remaining distance until the detents snap into the proper pairs of co-level apertures.

If it is desired to readjust or remove the end-stop assembly, one of the brackets is twisted slightly about the axis of the tube and the diagonally disposed ends of the opposing walls 58 will engage the associated minor walls and lever the detents from their engagement in the apertures, there being some resiliency in the flanges and in the post portions whereupon vertical movement will remove them from registration with the apertures enough that the twisted bracket can be slid free.

Where a panel 72 is utilized, two of the tube-andbracket assemblies are provided as described above but the lower one is secured first in place with slot 64 and notches 70 facing upwardly. The panel is then dropped into place between the posts to rest in the notches 70 in abutting relation to the opposing back Walls 34 and the upper tube-and-bracket assembly is lowered into place to receive the upper edge of the panel first at one end and then at the other end as the detents snap into place with the upper edge of the panel within the slot 64 and notches 70. Here again one of the upper brackets can be twisted enough to release it as already described for removal.

It is readily apparent that having once easily inserted and adjusted one of the end stops in less time than to describe it, a purchaser of the shelving would have no reluctance in adjusting the levels of a shelf and end-stops if later he desired to do so, thereby making the shelving more desirable because of its ease and ready adaptability for changing shelf requirements of the user.

In FIG. 9 is shown a modification for parts which have only one series of spaced apertures. Although it operates satisfactorily for double rows of apertures, it is an embodiment which may utilize two notches 70 in opposite edges 68 so that they can be oriented appropriately for a single row of apertures if used with panels. Otherwise, the location of this single notch 70 where it may be seen is not objectionable from a shelving appearance viewpoint.

In FIG. 10 the flanges 56a are canted towards each other so that they can be placed under clamping tension against opposite post sides where a post has substantially axially aligned apertures. Here again a slight twisting will release the detents as described for relocation.

Having thus described several embodiments of the invention and their operation, it will be seen how the objects are accomplished and how various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a sheet metal shelving assembly a pair of end corner posts having wall portions opposing each other and each having a series of vertically spaced apertures,

a bracket member spanning each one of the opposing wall portions and having detent means engageable in apertures that are co-level between the posts,

means interconnecting the brackets for holding said brackets in co-level contact with the corner posts at said co-level apertures,

each of said brackets having a portion extending beyond said respective wall portions and spaced from its detent means for engagement with its respective post to retract its detent means from engagement with its respective aperture upon partially turning the bracket about an axis normal to said opposing wall portions.

2. The combination called for in claim 1 in which each bracket comprises a body portion engaging its respective opposing wall portion,

said series of vertically spaced apertures borders the wall portion engaged by said body portion,

said extending portion comprises a flange at the end of the body engaging the post portion bordering the engaged portion and carrying said detent means in registration with one of said spaced apertures.

3. The combination called for in'claim 1 in which each bracket member comprises a body portion terminating laterally in opposing flanges on one side carrying said detent means, and said interconnecting means includes tongues on the other side of said body portion engaging said interconnecting means.

4. In a sheet metal shelving assembly a pair of end corner posts having wall portions opposing each other and each having a series of vertically spaced apertures,

a bracket member spanning each one of the opposing wall portions and having detent means engageable in apertures that are co-level between the posts,

means interconnecting the brackets for holding said brackets in co-level contact with the corner posts at said co-level apertures,

each of said brackets having a portion extending beyond said respective wall portions and spaced from its detent means for engagement with its respective post to retract its detent means from engagement with its respective aperture upon partially turning the bracket about an axis normal to said opposing wall portions,

each bracket member comprises a body portion having a notch in the upper edge, and

said interconnecting means defines a slot coincident with said notches.

5. The combination called for in claim 4 in which two assemblies of said bracket members and interconnecting means are vertically spaced and the notches and slot of one assembly faces those of the other assembly, and

panel means marginally received in said slots and notches to close the space between the two assemblies when the detent means on the upper brackets are moved into registration with co-level apertures immediately above the panel means.

6. In a sheet metal shelving assembly a pair of roll-formed cross-sectionally polygonal end corner posts having opposing back walls each bordered by rearwardly converging minor walls each of which has a series of vertically spaced apertures therein,

a bracket member spanning each back wall and having detent means engageable in the apertures that are co-level between the posts,

means interconnecting the brackets for holding said brackets co-level in contact with the opposing back walls,

each of said brackets having portions extending beyond the back wall portion into engagement with the minor walls at points spaced from the detent means to retract the detent means from engagement with the respective apertures upon turning the bracket about an axis normal to said facing wall portions.

7. The combination called for in claim 6 including shelf means secured in post-squaring parallel relationship in other co-level apertures directly below said brackets.

8. The combination called for in claim 6 in which two assemblies of said bracket members and interconnecting means are vertically spaced,

said interconnecting means of the two assemblies having facing slots, and

panel means marginally received in said slots to close the space between the two assemblies.

9. The combination called for in claim 1 in which each corner post has a further series of vertically spaced apertures defining co-level pairs of apertures whose axes diverge and said detent means comprises co-level detent elements whose axes converge and register with a pair of said apertures, and

said extending portion extends above and below said detent means in engagement with corner post wall portions vertically spaced from said detent means.

10. In a sheet metal shelving assembly a pair of end corner posts having wall portions opposing each other and each having a series of vertically spaced apertures,

a bracket member spanning each one of the opposing wall portions and having detent means engageable in apertures that are co-level between the posts,

means interconnecting the brackets for holding said brackets in co-level contact with the corner posts at said co-level apertures,

each of said brackets having a portion extending beyond said respective wall portions and spaced from its detent means for engagement with its respective post to retract its detent means from engagement with its respective aperture upon partially turning the bracket about an axis normal to said opposing wall portions,

each bracket member comprises a body portion terminating laterally in opposing flanges on one side carrying said detent means, and said interconnecting means includes tongues on the other side of said body portion engaging said interconnecting means,

said opposing flanges normally converge terminally towards each other.

11. In a sheet metal shelving assembly:

an end pair of cross-sectionally polygonal corner posts having spaced parallel opposing major walls each laterally bordered by mitered diverging minor walls marginally terminating in parallel spaced side walls disposed perpendicular to said major walls,

at least one of said diverging minor walls of each post having a series of vertically spaced apertures therein to receive fastening means including an end portion or a shelf between said major walls for supporting said major walls in fixed spaced relation,

a shelf end stop member readily adjustable as to height receivable in the space between the major Walls above said shelf end portion and terminally including semirigid post-engaging elements carried by the ends of said bracket member,

each post-engaging element having a central portion slidably engaging one of said major walls under appreciable pressure to frictionally support said end stop member against vertical movement and including opposing spaced arms extending marginally from said central portion within the projected confines of said parallel walls to engage said mitered diverging 7 8 i 7 minor walls and rigidly hold the end stop member 2,872,144 2/1959 Hobson 248-245 X against lateral horizontal movement, 3,266,635 8/ 1966 McConnell 211-148 said elements being movable vertically With respect to 3,279,729 10/1966 Buttriss.

each other into and out of a position disposing said 3,279,876 10/1966 St. Cyr 108-144 X bracket member normal to said major walls, and said 5 arms and central portion being releasable for said OTHER REFERE CES movement by rotating said post-engaging element German printed application 1,079,973 (1960) slightly about the axis of said bracket member.

JAMES T. MCCALL, Primary Examiner References Cited In UNITED STATES PATENTS L X-R.

2,351,525 6/1944 Leary 24-81X 2481 2,514,571 7/1950 Fry 24-431 

